A former referee from Japan’s Marigold promotion has reportedly been killed in a bear attack.
Katsumi Sasazaki, who worked across multiple puroresu promotions including ZERO1, AJW, and Marigold, was reportedly attacked by a bear while working at a hot spring inn along the Getogawa River in Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture.
According to local media reports, the 60-year-old went missing from Semi Onsen early in the morning on October 16. Upon noticing his absence, the inn’s manager reported the incident to the Kitakami Police Station.
“When officers arrived, they found cleaning tools and the man’s glasses and slippers scattered around the outdoor bath. Animal fur was also discovered, as well as smeared bloodstains,” Asahi.com reported.
A rescue effort led by the local police department had to be called off after just 30 minutes due to bad weather. Officials resumed the search for Sasazaki the following day and discovered his mutilated body “in a wooded area on the opposite bank of the Getogawa River, about 50 meters northwest of the hot spring inn.”
“The search and rescue team shot and killed an adult male Asiatic black bear about 1.5 meters tall near the wooded area in Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture, where the body was found.”
Marigold’s Rossy Ogawa Issues Statement
Katsumi Sasazaki had worked for Marigold until recently. His previous duties also included working as a bus driver, transporting wrestlers between venues. Rossy Ogawa, the founder and head booker of Marigold, issued a statement on Sasazaki’s tragic death.
“We have received the heartbreaking news that the body of Katsumi Sasazaki, who went missing after a bear attack at a hot spring facility in Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture, has been found,” Ogawa wrote.
“Sasazaki’s final time as a referee was in the Marigold ring. He was a junior from All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling, a quiet but dedicated worker, and he leaves behind two young daughters. He was scheduled to be at the Shinkiba show but ended up absent, and now we’ve parted without having exchanged a single word. There’s nothing to say but how deeply tragic and regrettable this is.
“May he rest in peace.” [Translation via meraWRESTLING on X]
